NARUC wrote to FCC Chmn. Powell this week asking Commission to re...

large carriers seeking at least delay, citing difficulty in implementing pooling and porting requirements on same date. State PUCs have objected to requests for additional time. NARUC Gen. Counsel Brad Ramsay told Powell that in discussions with Powell’s and other 8th floor offices “there seemed to be no disagreement that industry must ultimately implement WNP… The only disagreement I could discern was: Should the delay be less than 3 months or some longer period of time?” Citing “our real concerns [that] forbearance or delay could have on both competition and number of conservation efforts,” NARUC said it was reiterating request that FCC deny Verizon petition “outright.” In detailed ex parte filing, NARUC also cited 150 filings made by consumers in FCC docket for wireless LNP that opposed any delays in implementation. Meanwhile, CTIA said in ex parte filing at Commission this week that industry still supported national pooling schedule and would be ready for rollout in affected area codes. However, CTIA said pooling implementation alone continued to pose challenges, including difficulty in separating mobile identification number from mobile directory number. “LECs are concerned that pooling volumes may overwhelm staff resources,” Assn. said. CTIA reiterated concerns that “flash-cut” deployment of pooling and porting, which both have Nov. 24 deadline, would pose “serious risks” to network reliability. It again sought forbearance on porting requirement, or at least 2-year delay.